3 tech basics to master to make your presentation soar

Today’s talks—at every level, and to audiences large and small—almost invariably require a multimedia approach. Acing these fundamentals will keep you at ease and land your message.

By Stephanie FultonOct. 11, 2017

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Public speaking requires three presentation tech basics.

Before sidling up to the lectern:

Give your best performance by stepping away from the laptop and controlling your presentation with a remote.

Test out new web-based presentation software to better create and collaborate on projects.

Boost the impact of your slides with graphic design software.

Here’s more detail about each tech aspect every speaker must consider:

1. Presentation remotes

No matter the venue or the size of the audience, it’s good to have a presentation remote. This device not only gets you from one slide to the next, but it also can guide your audience’s eyes to the important information.

Many remotes nowadays include laser pointers and spotlights. This device is a must have if you want to command the stage and engage your audience. For the best presentation tech features that a remote has to offer, check out our review of the top two Logitech devices we recommend for public speakers.

Nearly all these presentation tech programs have apps so you can work on the go. There are also more collaborative than PowerPoint or Keynote, because all the work exists online. This can ease the constant file sharing and allows multiple users to make edits simultaneously.

3. Design software

Presentations and design go hand in hand. You can’t have a great presentation without a great design. Creative designs don’t have to happen in Adobe products alone. There are free programs that can help you create stunning visuals for your deck. Websites like Canva, Befunky, Vectr and Pixlr all include photo editing with tons of options.

Add colors, font, frames, overlays and more to your presentation photos. If you are looking for unique illustrations or icons, you may find some on image-hosting websites like iStock or Shutterstock. For more branded looks, it’s best to use design software from Adobe like Photoshop or InDesign.

To learn how to transfer a Photoshop design into PowerPoint, check out this tutorial.

Put these three presentation tech basics together to deliver an unforgettable presentation.